Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-08-31
THE uNFAITHFUL STEWARD.

~ -.
Or the Fable Of thu Good Prince, His
Gift for Charity and how h steward
Was Unfafthfnl to His Trust.
Dakota department st. Paul Pioneer
Press: Once upon a time there was q
mighty prince who owned great possess
ions. He took into his employ a steward
whom he gave authority over all his hands
and property. He also placed in his hands
20 900 shekles OF silver and said: sfThis
shalt thou give to those who are erecting
q temple for sweet chaity's sake. 1t hath
been contributed by my people for this
purpose, and to this purpose shall it be
dedicated" And, having said this, the
prince departed on his way.
After many days the prince returned
and found his good steward lying prone
upon his back, crying with o loud voice.
I"Mnrderl thievesl"
why yeiiest thou 30 uprnsriously ?"
inquired the prince. II see no robbers
at hand"
Verify my MASTER answered the
good steward "the servants you have
placed under me, and to whom thou
badst me give 10000 shekles of silver,
are but thieves and pilferers. They
have plundered your palace and have
filled. their pockets even unto bursting.
Indeed - replied the prince, s..you do
much surprise me-. Is proof OF this at
hand"
"Yea, verify said the steward. "Here
are good men who saw them while at
their work slyly place q pot OF earth
where you had bid them put s pail of
sand. And in the night when no one
watched they did plant an oak where
you did command an elm. They have
robbed you. my prince, and even O do
jingle the stolen lacre merrily in their
pockets !" and again the faithful steward
laid him down upon his back and yelled
in sore distress.
"But Why lest thou on thine honest
back and givest yeat to those dismal
howlsT' quoth the prince. "Why dost
thou not arise, pursue and capture the
villains ~
aIhey have not departed, good prince:
therefore / cannot pursue," answered
the good steward.
MWhatp exclaimed the prince; "do
they rob and plumber my palace and yet
remain at hand to Rnswer?"
faye; that they do, nay MASTER" RES
pended the honest steward, taIthough /
have bid them begone many times"
"You have bid them begone," exolaim.
ed the prince. with all my silver in
their pockets"
.sYaa, verify, replied the good ma
"but they will not 60, therefore do ]
yell"
Hast given them the 10000 shekels I
| did provide 3 them ?" asked the prince
shay, that is safe, my master" answer
ed the good steward.
"Ahi thou hast given it back to nay
people who did contribute iii
shay, not t. replied the Watchdog.
"Eheu thou hast placed 1t at usury for
them ~
"Not any, my MASTER said the faith
f9l man. yet fear nothing, for it is safe,
"a understand thee not" said the
prince .sIf thou hast not given il tc
those for whom it was intended, nor YET
to my people from whom it wal received
then what host thou done with it?
~ have it in my panties,n returned
the good steward; and then behold, the
prince did turn his servant oyer. and
there rolled from his pockets the 10000
shekels of silver which the good prince
had dedicated to charity: Then was the
prince exceeding wroth. and he said;
Thou uEfaithfnl stewardf8I do much
suspect that it is thee Of whom / should
beware. Thou eriest robhers, but dos,
not a%pprehend and punish them accord
ing to my Htatutes. Thou callest loud
~ thieves; but behold they stand an6
await thy charges. whilst thou dost keer
in thine own breaches the shekela de-
lsigned to relieve the helpless and The
suffering. I smell q rat. 7 see him il
the air. TIL nip him in the bud" And
SO saying, the prince seized the steward
by the neck and prepared to pitch hin
headiong from the walls OF the castle
But the steward cried out and said
MERCY, my masterl ] was temptedi il
thou will but spare me I will squaal
sssWho tempted thee" sternly inquir
ed the prince.
II cannot tell a lie, my MASTER an,
swered the steward; lit was Ward"